Pipe coupling

ABSTRACT

A quick-release pipe coupling comprises a hollow cylindrical body having a collar axially slidable thereon and supporting a plurality of hooks for engaging the flange of a pipe to be coupled to the hollow cylindrical body, and an annular thrust member mounted on the body adjacent to the collar and in screwthreaded engagement with the body, so that rotation of the thrust member causes axial displacement of the collar and forces the hooks to clamp the flanged pipe against the body.

United States Patent Paddington 1 Oct. 3, 1972 [54] PIPE COUPLING [72]Inventor: Arthur L. Paddington, Thorpe Willoughby, near Selby, England[73] Assignee: British Ropes Limited, Doncaster,

Yorkshire, England [22] Filed: Sept. 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 68,718

[52] US. Cl. ..285/38, 285/320, 285/406, 285/420 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6l35/00 [58] Field of Search ..285/38, 308, 364, 420, 406, 285/320, 18

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,910,706 5/1933 Malzord..285/38 X 2,645,506 7/1953 Sturgis ..285/364 X 3,489,434 l/1970 Haley..285/420 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 668,745 7/1929 France ..285/364 1,050,139 2/1959 Germany ..285/364 644,493 7/l 962 Canada ..285/3641,559,425 l/l969 France ..285/320 Primary Examiner-Dave W. ArolaAttorney-Brady, OBoyle & Gates [57] ABSTRACT A quick-release pipecoupling comprises a hollow cylindrical body having a collar axiallyslidable thereon and supporting a plurality of hooks for engaging theflange of a pipe to be coupled to the hollow cylindrical body, and anannular thrust member mounted on the body adjacent to the collar and inscrew-threaded engagement with the body, so that rotation of the thrustmember causes axial displacement of the collar and forces the hooks toclamp the flanged pipe against the body.

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SHEH G'IGF 12 PATENTEDnm I972 SHEEN 110F12 PIPE COUPLING The inventionrelates to coupling means and more particularly, but not exclusively, topipe coupling means.

It is an object of the invention to provide coupling means which can bereadily engaged and disengaged.

According to the invention there is provided coupling means comprising abody having mounted and axially slidable thereon a support formed with aplurality of arms arranged to engage a member to couple the member tothe body, at least one of the arms being radially movable relative tothe body, and means for moving the support axially along the bodywhereby the member can be clamped against the body.

Preferably the body is a pipe. Said member may be another pipe or ablanking plate. The pipe or pipes are preferably flanged, said armsbeing arranged to engage behind a flange on the second pipe or behind ablanking plate.

The support may conveniently comprise a collar mounted on the body. Thearms may comprise books, at least one of which is pivoted to the collarso that it can be swung away from the body. Means are preferablyprovided for locking the or each pivoted hook in its operative position.The other hook or hooks may be fixedly mounted on the collar.

Said means for moving the support may comprise a thrust member mountedon the body adjacent the collar and in screw-threaded engagement withthe body whereby rotation of the thrust member causes axial movement ofthe collar relative to the body.

Preferably means is provided for preventing rotation of the support onthe body.

Advantageously means is provided for locking the collar and thrustmember together, when the coupling means is in its working position, toprevent accidental disengagement of the coupling means. The lockingmeans may comprise a pin mounted on the collar and having a partarranged to engage a flange formed on the thrust member, the pin beingarranged so that rotation thereof causes axial displacement of the pinso that said part frictionally engages the flange. The means for causingaxial displacement of the pin may be a pair of face cams.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings wherein like parts have been given the samereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe coupling according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the coupling shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an axial section through the coupling shown in FIG. 2 taken inits position of operation;

FIG. 4 is an axial section similar to FIG. 3 but in its inoperativeposition;

FIG. 5 is a scrap view of part of the coupling shown in FIG. 2 andshowing a locking device;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 5, and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part of the device shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified pipe coupling in itsdisengaged position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8 but with the coupling inits engaged position;

FIG. 10 is an end view of a coupling generally similar to that shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is an axial section through the coupling shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a further axial section of the coupling shown in FIGS. 10 and11;

FIG. 13 is an end elevation of a locking member;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the member shown in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings there is shown a pipe couplingcomprising a tubular body 4 formed at one end with an annular flange 11by means of which the coupling can be secured to a flanged pipe, and atits other end with an annular flange 18 against which the flange of, forexample, a further length of pipe can be clamped in order to connecttogether two lengths of pipe. FIG. 3 of the drawing shows a chain dottedlines a blanking plate 19 clamped against the flange 18 of the pipecoupling but it will be appreciated that a flanged pipe can be connectedto the coupling in the same manner. The flange 18 is provided at itssurface arranged to engage the flange of an adjacent pipe with aresilient annular fluid seal 6, e.g. of neoprene, secured to the flangeby screws 14 and a retaining ring 5.

Between the two end flanges 11 and 18 on the body 4 is arranged anannular collar 3 which can slide axially along the body but which isrestrained from rotation on the body by means of a projection 20provided on the body. The collar is formed by a pair of semi-circularmembers which are bolted together at their ends, and carries a pair ofdiametrically opposed hook members 1 and 8 respectively, the hook member1 being secured to the collar by means of a pair of bolts 13 so that itis stationary relative to the collar, the bolts also serving to connecttogether the two parts of the collar. As shown in FIG. 3 the hook I isU-shaped in cross-sectioniand comprises a spaced pair of hook portions21. The hook 8 is mounted on the collar by means of a single bolt 12which also connects together the two parts of the collar and is arrangedso that it can pivot about the bolt 12. A shoulder 28 is formed on thehook 8 and, when the coupling is in use, is engaged by an adjacentmember 22, more fully described below, so that the hook member isprevented from rotation away from the end flange 18.

- A thrust member in the form of an operating barrel 7 is arranged onthe outside of the body adjacent the collar, the operating barrel beingformed adjacent the collar 3 with an outwardly extending annular flange22 (constituting the aforesaid member 22). A hooked member 23 is mountedon the collar 3 and engages the flange 22 so that the collar and theoperating barrel are connected loosely together for axial movement alongthe body 4, but are capable of relative rotation. The inner surface ofthe operating barrel is formed with a buttress thread 24 which engageswith corresponding projections 24 (FIG. 3) formed on the externalsurface of the body, whereby rotation of the operating barrel causesaxial movement of the barrel, and thus the collar 3, along the body. Forthis purpose the operating barrel is formed with a socketed projection25 into which an operating lever 26 may be inserted so thaf theoperating barrel can be rotated relative to the body.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. to 7 a locking member 29 ismountedon the collar 3, the locking member comprising a housing 30formed with a cylindrical bore 31 in which is slidably mounted a pin 32.The pin 32 has secured to one end thereof an operating lever and to theother end thereof a friction pad 33. The adjacent surfaces of theoperating lever and the housing are formed with cooperating face cams 34and respectively whereby on rotation of the lever 10 the pin is drawn tothe left as shown in FIG. 6 so as to bring the friction pad 33 intoengagement with the flange 22 of the operating barrel and thus to lockthe collar and operating barrel together. In this respect, it will beappreciated that though the two members are connected together by thehook member 23, the member 23 is arranged such that some degree of axialmovement can take place between the two members. The arrangement is suchthat after locking of the collar to the barrel, any tendency of thebarrel to rotate in a direction to disengage the coupling causes thefriction pad to engage the flange 22 more tightly, without howeverjamming the locking mechanism to prevent release thereof.

In operation the coupling is first arranged in the position shown inFIG. 4 that is to say the operating barrel is rotated to bring thebarrel towards the flange 18, the hook member 8 being swung into aposition remote from flange 18. For this purpose a cut-out portion 27 isprovided in the flange 22 so that when the shoulder 28 is aligned withthe cut out portion 27, the hook 8 may be swung outwardly to theposition shown in FIG. 4.

The flange of the pipe to be coupled is then manouvered into positionand is located on the lower fixed hook member 1. As the hook member 1 isbifurcated, it can provide a stable support or cradle for the pipe to becoupled. The pivoted hook member 8 is then swung into the position shownin FIG. 3 so that it engages behind the flange of the pipe to becoupled. The operating barrel 7 is then rotated by means of the lever 26to move the collar to the right as viewed in FIG. 3 so that the hookmembers 1 and 8 clamp the flange of the pipe to be coupled firmlyagainst the flange 18 (as shown in FIG. 4). The ,seal 6 is thuscompressed between the adjacent flanges of the pipe and coupling to forma fluid tight seal between the coupling and the pipe. As previouslyindicated, the hook member 8 is prevented from swinging outwards byengagement of the flange 22 with the shoulder 28. Lastly the lockingmember 29 is operated by turning the pin 32 by means of the lever 10, sothat the pad 33 frictionally engages the flange 22 of the operatingbarrel 7 and prevents accidental loosening of the coupling. The couplingcan be disconnected simply by loosening the locking device by rotatingthe lever 10, loosening the operating barrel by rotating it to move itin the direction of the flange l8, swinging the pivoted hook 8 upwardlyout of contact with the flange of the pipe, and then lifting the pipeclear of the coupling.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a pipe coupling of the kind shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 ofthe drawings and wherein a locking member 29 of the kind generally shownin FIGS. 5 to 7 is disposed on the collar 3 adjacent the fixed hook 1.

FIGS. 10 to 12, which correspond to FIGS.2 to 4 respectively, show thelocking member 29 disposed on the collar 3 adjacent to the pivoted hook8. The locking member is more fully illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 andis generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

The locking member 29 comprises a housing 30 welded to the collar 3, thehousing being formed with a cylindrical bore 31. A pin 32 is slidablymounted in the bore 31 and has secured to one end thereof an operatinglever 10 and to the other end thereof a friction pad 33. The end of thehousing adjacent to the lever 10 is formed with a face cam surface 35against which a follower 36 provided on the lever 10 can bear, so thatrotation of the pin 32 via the lever 10 causes axial displacement of thepin and thus the friction pad 33 for the purpose described above withreference to FIGS. 5 to 7. A spacer 37 is provided on the pin betweenthe housing 30 and the friction pad 33, to limit displacement of thefriction pad to the left as viewed in FIG. 14.

Iclaim:

1. Coupling means comprising a hollow body, a support collar mounted onthe body so as to be axially slidable thereon, means for preventingrotation of the collar relative to the body, a plurality of hooked armsmounted on the collar and at least one of which is pivotable relativethereto, the arms being adapted to engage behind a flange on a hollowmember whereby the member can be clamped against the body, a thrustmember mounted on the hollow body in contact with the collar and inscrew-threaded engagement with the body, whereby rotation of the thrustmember relative to the body causes axial movement of the collar alongthe body to effect said clamping, and means for locking the collar andthrust member together comprising a pin slidably mounted on the collarso as to be movable axially thereof and having a part arranged to engagea flange formed on the thrust member, means for axially displacing thepin whereby the said part frictionally engages the flange.

2. Coupling means according to claim 1, wherein each pivoted hooked armis formed with a shoulder adapted to engage the flange of the thrustmember when the hooked arm is in its operative position whereby the saidarm is locked against pivotal movement, the flange being formed with arecess which aligns with the shoulder to permit pivotal movement of thehooked arm when the thrust member is in its inoperative position.

3. Coupling means according to claim 1, wherein the means for axiallydisplacing the pin comprises face cam means operatively connected tosaid pin, said cam means having relatively rotatable portions foraxially displacing the pin whereby the said part frictionally engagesthe flange, and means for relatively rotating the portions of the facecam.

4. Coupling means according to claim 3, wherein each pivoted hooked armis formed with a shoulder adapted to engage the flange of the thrustmember when the hooked arm is in its operative position whereby the saidarm is locked against pivotal movement, the flange being formed with arecess which aligns with the shoulder to permit pivotal movement of thehooked arm when the thrust member is in its inoperative position.

cylindrical portion of the body so as to be axially slidable thereon,means for preventing rotation of the collar relative to the body, aplurality of hooked arms mounted on the collar and at least one of whichis pivotable relative thereto, the arms being adapted to engage behind aflange on a hollow member whereby the member can be clamped against thebody, an annular thrust member mounted on the cylindrical portion of thehollow body in contact with the collar and in screw-threaded engagementwith the body, whereby rotation of the thrust member relative to thebody in one direction causes axial movement of the collar along the bodyto effect said clamping, an annular flange being formed on the thrustmember and each pivoted hooked arm being formed with a shoulder adaptedto engage the flange of the thrust member when the hooked arm is in itsoperative position whereby the said arm is locked against pivotalmovement, the flange being formed with a recess which aligns with theshoulder to permit pivotal movement of the hooked arm when the thrustmember is in its inoperative position and means for locking the collarand thrust member together comprising a pin slidably mounted on thecollar so as to be movable axially thereof and having a head arranged toengage the said flange on the thrust member, face cam means havingrelatively rotatable portions one of which portions is secured to thepin and the other of which portions is fixedly mounted on the collar,and lever means for relatively rotating the portions of the face cam todisplace the pin axially to engage the head thereof frictionally withthe flange on the thrust member.

1. Coupling means comprising a hollow body, a support collar mounted onthe body so as to be axially slidable thereon, means for preventingrotation of the collar relative to the body, a plurality of hooked armsmounted on the collar and at least one of which is pivotable relativethereto, the arms being adapted to engage behind a flange on a hollowmember whereby the member can be clamped against the body, a thrustmember mounted on the hollow body in contact with the collar and inscrew-threaded engagement with the body, whereby rotation of the thrustmember relative to the body causes axial movement of the collar alongthe body to effect said clamping, and means for locking the collar andthrust member together comprising a pin slidably mounted on the collarso as to be movable axially thereof and having a part arranged to engagea flange formed on the thrust member, means for axially displacing thepin whereby the said part frictionally engages the flange.
 2. Couplingmeans according to claim 1, wherein each pivoted hooked arm is formedwith a shoulder adapted to engage the flange of the thrust member whenthe hooked arm is in its operative position whereby the said arm islocked against pivotal movement, the flange being formed with a recesswhich aligns with the shoulder to permit pivotal movement of the hookedarm when the thrust member is in its inoperative position.
 3. Couplingmeans according to claim 1, wherein the means for axially displacing thepin comprises face cam means operatively connected to said pin, said cammeans having relatively rotatable portions for axially displacing thepin whereby the said part frictionally engages the flange, and means forrelatively rotating the portions of the face cam.
 4. Coupling meansaccording to claim 3, wherein each pivoted hooked arm is formed with ashoulder adapted to engage the flange of the thrust member when thehooked arm is in its operative position whereby the said arm is lockedagainst pivotal movement, the flange being formed with a recess whichaligns with the shoulder to permit pivotal movement of the hooked armwhen the thrust member is in its inoperative position.
 5. Coupling meanscomprising a hollow body having a cylindrical portion, a support collarmounted on the cylindrical portion of the body so as to be axiallyslidable thereon, means for preventing rotation of the collar relativeto the body, a plurality of hooked arms mounted on the collar and atleast one of which is pivotable relative thereto, the arms being adaptedto engage behind a flange on a hollow member whereby the member can beclamped against the body, an annular thrust member mounted on thecylindrical portion of the hollow body in contact with the collar and inscrew-threaded engagement with the body, whereby rotation of the thrustmember relative to the body in one direction causes axial movement ofthe collar along the body to effect said clamping, an annular flangebeing formed on the thrust member and each pivoted hooked arm beingformed with a shoulder adapted to engage the flange of the thrust memberwhen the hooked arm is in its operative position whereby the said arm islocked against pivotal movement, the flange being formed with a recesswhich aligns with the shoulder to permit pivotal movement of the hookedarm when the thrust member is in its inoperative position and means forlocking the collar and thrust member together comprising a pin slidablymounted on the collar so as to be movable axially thereof and having ahead arranged to engage the said flange on the thrust member, face cammeans having relatively rotatable portions one of which portions issecured to the pin and the other of which portions is fixedly mounted onthe collar, and lever means for relatively rotating the portions of theface cam to displace the pin axially to engage the head thereoffrictionally with the flange on the thrust member.